Although each higher education institutional research office has a unique style and mission, their commonalities suggest guidelines for establishing effective units, including placement high in the organizational structure, consistent attention given to first-order data responsibilities (collection, reporting), attention to institutional needs, a…

Presents interview with David Jarmusz, a Chicago (Illinois) police officer who specializes in gang activity. Jarmusz describes the Chicago Police Department's gang units program and gang specialist detectives, discusses goals and objectives, activities of the program, and outcomes of the project. (NB)

Results of a follow-up study of older adults (n=27) who one year earlier had participated in relaxation training to cope with tension and anxiety supported the efficacy of relaxation training for elderly persons with subjective anxiety. (Author/NB)

Describes IMPACT (Insight, Motivation, Progress, Assessment, Counseling, Treatment), successful intervention approach for repeat impaired driving offenders. Explains intensive, residential, weekend experience in which program participants examine their alcohol- and drug-related behaviors. Notes that, through interaction with peers, participants…

Uses an analysis based on the work of M. Foucault to explore the nature and practice of disciplinary power in the context of higher education in the United Kingdom (U.K.), focusing on the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) undertaken by the U.K. Higher Education Funding Councils. The lack of impact of the RAE is examined. (SLD)

Discusses the need for trainers to evaluate the training requests they receive to determine whether they are appropriate for the situation. Suggests how trainers can prepare themselves for roles as performance consultants. (JOW)

Studied how school support-team systems have been developed and implemented across the United States. Responses from 43 state education agencies show that most states still do not have operating school-support systems in place, but those that do have varying outcomes based on a variety of program characteristics. (SLD)

A 4-H K-2 program was evaluated by 277 parents, 144 volunteers, and 44 extension agents. These stakeholders believed the program was beneficial and effective in improving children's life skills (self-esteem, making friends, making choices, learning and physical skills). (SK)

Describes tenets of continuing professional education marketing: identify target audience, define mission, assess community needs, identify competition, establish credibility, develop marketing plans, provide options, evaluate, and develop high-quality programs. Offers advice for pricing, cancellations, new courses, promotion expenses, direct…

The progressive Austin H. MacCormick school is located on Rikers Island, New York City's corrections complex. This school issues the most General Educational Development diplomas, with the highest passing rate, of any program within the 14-jail system that has custody of over 140,000 inmates annually. (Author)

Evaluates effectiveness of a sexual assault education program on 224 college women. Women in the treatment group participated in a 1-hour sexual assault education program. Participants returned for a 7-month follow-up session and assessment. Results indicate that the program was successful in increasing knowledge about sexual assault, but not…

Explores the effects of a pre-trial diversion program for misdemeanor offenders (N=243). Results indicate that successful completion of the program significantly reduced recidivism among first-time offenders. Nine percent of those completing had further contact with the courts, compared to 39 percent who failed to complete the program. (RJM)

Describes how the business school at Australia's Curtin University of Technology has identified a set of generic skills to be taught to all undergraduates and begun implementing a project to teach and assess the skills in the context of each discipline. Discusses the project's measures of effectiveness and lessons learned to date. (EV)

West Virginia Wesleyan College has embraced technology with significant results; however, some professors question the goals and costs. (EV)

Examples of creative programming to meet community needs in State College, Pennsylvania, are described: summer arts and crafts for K-6, intensive English courses for Russian refugees, brown-bag parent education seminars for employees of a local business, and a summer reading initiative. (SK)